Chelsea £25m offer for Rooney ‘an insult’ - Robson

SIMON STONE

As a global ambassador for the Old Trafford outfit, Robson remains close to United affairs and travelled with David Moyes’ squad throughout their recent tour of the Far East and Australia.

Robson is acutely aware of the club’s ‘not for sale’ stance on Rooney and Chelsea’s keen interest in the 27-year-old given Jose Mourinho has already had two offers turned down. And, in a summer where Real Madrid are apparently willing to offer mega-money to secure the services of Gareth Bale and Arsenal have bid in excess of £40million for Luis Suarez, Robson feels Chelsea’s valuation of Rooney – who still has two years remaining on his contract – is ludicrously low.

“The thing that makes me laugh is I’ve been told it [the latest bid] is £25million to £30million. For Wayne Rooney? A 27-year-old who is probably in the top six strikers in the world?” Robson told talkSPORT.

“What are United going to have to pay to replace him? I’m amazed at that. I think it is an insult to Wayne Rooney.”

Yet there is no doubt though that, having so far failed to secure the services of Cesc Fabregas, losing Rooney would increase the pressure on new manager David Moyes and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, who has endured a difficult first summer since replacing David Gill as the man responsible for completing transfer deals.

Yet it does seem the England forward is happy to call time on his stay at Old Trafford.

His relationship with United may not have deteriorated to the point where he is forced to train with the reserves, as has been the case with Suarez. However, the 27-year-old has clearly decided he has no future at Old Trafford.

Rooney’s major concern appears to centre around Sir Alex Ferguson’s continued presence in the United hierarchy and the influence he will be able to exert given he selected Moyes as his successor.

Given the relationship between Rooney and Ferguson broke down completely, to the extent the Scot went public with a claim his forward wanted to leave.